Switching mechanism for nebulizer-humidifiers

ABSTRACT

An improved switching mechanism for nebulizer-humidifier comprising in combination a switch button, a switch cover, and a switch body. The switch body having on the bottom thereof and at opposing sides, seals which are adopted to cover alternatively mist or bubble gas channels, in response to the lateral movement of the switch button by an operator.

United States Patent 1191 11 3,730,225 Kin {451 Ma 1 1973 I 1 SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR 3.057551 l0/I962 Ettern ..235/201 ME NEBULIZER-HUMIDIF[ERS 3,269,650 Z1966 Gale 235/201 ME 3,371,684 1968 Du m I ..25l/l4l X lnvenlorl William King, Denver, COIO- 3,460,572 8/1969 Haftfnan... ....l37/625.48 x 3,466,002 9/1969 Freeman ..235/20l ME [73] Asslgnee Sand wander Hanover 3,633,239 1/1972 Meyerhoefer ..I37/637 x [22] Filed: June 11, 1971 Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott [21 1 Appl' 152352 Attorney-Gerald D. Sharkin et al.

[52] US. Cl ..l37/625.48 [57] ABSTRACT 2; An improved switching mechanism for nebulizer-hu- I 1 o midifier comprising in combination a switch button, a I switch cover, and a switch body. The switch body having on the bottom thereof and at opposing sides, seals [56] References cued which are adopted to cover alternatively mist or bub- UNITED STATES PATENTS ble gas channels, in response to the lateral movement of the switch button by an operator. 2,901,623 8/1959 Wouters ..25l/l4l X 3,020,927 2/1962 McLaughlin ..137/625.48 X 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures l L J Pgtented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

v Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fie.4

Patented Ma 1973 I I 3,730,225

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5

Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR NEBULIZER- I-IUMIDIFIERS I This invention relates to nebulizer-humidifiers. More particularly, it relates to improvements in the switching mechanism of nebulizer-humidifiers.

Nebulizer-humidifiers are used in inhalation therapy as a convenient and satisfactory means of administering medication in either a bubble or mist form. In bubble inhalation, a therapeutic gas, e.g., oxygen is passed through a solution of medicament or water and is saturated and then passed from the apparatus to the patient. In mist therapy the liquid in the apparatus is atomized by the oxygen and then passed from the ap-. paratus to the patient.

Typically the choice of bubble or mist therapy can be readily made by either the patient or therapy operator by means of a two-way valve on the apparatus. However, these valves are subject to wear and abrasion and consequently become deficient in their ability to consistently deliver the desired bubble or mist form of medication.

It is, therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved switching mechanism for nebulizer-humidifier without the deficiencies of the prior art.

Thisand other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a nebulizer-humidifier in combination with the switching mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 2 is top view of the nebulizer-humidifier of FIG. I.

FIG 3 is an isometric view of a switch body of the switch mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a switch cover of the switch mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a switch button of the switch mechanismof this invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the switch mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a view along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the switching mechanism of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 the switch mechanism of this invention in combination with a typical nebulizer-humidifier 10. The switch mechanism comprises switch cover 11, switch button 12 and switch body 13 (shown in phantom).

The switch body 13 (see FIG. 3) comprises a frame 16, opening 15 for receiving switch button 12, a pair of switch button engaging shoulder 17, and a pair of seals 14. The seals 14 are on the bottom of switch body 13,

and with respect to the sides of frame 16, one seal 14 is at one side of frame 16 and the other seal 14 is at the opposing side of frame 16. The switch button engaging shoulders 17 are with respect to the sides of frame 16, at the same sides of frame 16 as the seals 14. Shoulders 17 are recessed in switch body I3 with respect to seals 14, and attached to the frame 16.

The switch cover 11 comprises a top 19, with an opening 21 therethrough for receiving the stem 26 of switch button 12, sides 18 extending from top 19, and an extension 22 projecting from. one of sides 18. The extension 22 has a slot portion 23 which is in communication only with the internal portion of theswitch cover 1 1. Switch cover 11 15 adapted to cover switch body 13,

and to form an air tight seal over body 13 on top of nebulizer-humidifier 10 without interferring with the movement of switch body 13. The dimensions of opening 21 are such that movement of switch button 12 is restricted to a lateral back and forth movement.

Switch button 12 comprises a stem 26 and base flanges 24. The dimensions of flanges 24 correspond approximately to that of shoulders 17 of the switch body 13. The flanges 24 are adapted to engage shoulders l7 and cause switch body 13 to move in relationship to the lateral movements of switch button 12.

Switch cover 11 and switch body 13 are shown as rectangular bodies, however, they are not restricted to this shape and may also be square, though the rectangular shape is preferred.

Switch cover 11 and switch button 12 may be prepared from rigid plastic such as polystyrene, epoxy resin and the like. Switch body 13 is preferably prepared from a soft rubber or elastermeric like material.

In operation, oxygen entering inlet 27 of nebulizerhumidifier 10 is channeled via conduit 28 (see FIG. 7) to slot portion 23 of switch cover '11. The oxygen is then channeled via passage 29 (see FIG. 8) to a mist conduit or a bubble conduit of the nebulizer-humidifier l0, and then conveyed via outlet part 31 to the patient via a conduit not shown.

What is claimed is:

l. A switching mechanism for nebulizer-humidifier with comprises in combination a switch cover, a switch button, and a switch body, said body comprising a four sided frame, a pair of seals on the bottom of said frame, one of said seals being on one of said sides of said frame the other of said seals being on the opposite side of said frame, and a pair of shoulder members within said frame said shoulder members recessed with respect to said seals, said cover comprising a topwith an opening therethrough, adapted to receive and switch button,

sides extending from the perimiter of said top in substantial conformitywith said frame of said switch body, one of said sides having a projection outward of said cover, said projection having a slot opening inward into said cover body, said switch button comprising a stem and a pair of flanges at the base of said stem, said flanges adapted to correspond to said shoulder members in said switch body, said switch cover being substantially longer than said switch body, to allow for a lateral movement of said switch body within said switch cover.

2. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said switch cover and said switch body are substantially rectangular. 

1. A switching mechanism for nebulizer-humidifier with comprises in combination a switch cover, a switch button, and a switch body, said body comprising a four sided frame, a pair of seals on the bottom of said frame, one of said seals being on one of said sides of said frame the other of said seals being on the opposite side of said frame, and a pair of shoulder members within said frame said shoulder members recessed with respect to said seals, said cover comprising a top with an opening therethrough, adapted to receive and switch button, sides extending from the perimiter of said top in substantial conformity with said frame of said switch body, one of said sides having a projection outward of said cover, said projection having a slot opening inward into said cover body, said switch button comprising a stem and a pair of flanges at the base of said stem, said flanges adapted to correspond to said shoulder members in said switch body, said switch cover being substantially longer than said switch body, to allow for a lateral movement of said switch body within said switch cover.
 2. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said switch cover and said switch body are substantially rectangular. 